Media, Self and Society
Analyzing urgent questions about our media-filled lives
Introduction
Media literacy is essential for critical thinking, health, and informed citizenship in the 21st century, yet many people lack the skills to critically evaluate the information they encounter online and in other media sources.
The Media Scholars program provides opportunities for students to participate in a creative learning community to develop their skills for analyzing and producing media. Our program promotes learning by doing and uses small group discussions, service activities, field trips, and creative projects to help our students understand and navigate their media-filled lives.
We have created an inclusive curriculum that also involves lessons that critically examine media representations of marginalized groups. Students should understand how the media has been used to oppress and stereotype certain groups, and how it can be used to promote equity and social justice. Media Scholars provides students with opportunities to create their own media texts that are inclusive and affirming of diverse cultures.
Colloquium and Lecture Topics
Our class sessions regularly include these features:
The Eye Opener: a critical analysis of the news of the day
Take on Fake: digging into viral disinformation
Media In Real Life: field trips on and off campus to enhance understanding of media literacy principles and use those skills to analyze and "decode" visual artworks, public exhibits, and other media.
MediaLit! Lessons and Activities: covering topics such as the economics and effectiveness of Super Bowl ads; a Grammy week study of the cultural impact of music videos; how Hip Hop changed the world; how AI is affecting the music industry; Oscar week study of the film industry and diversity in Hollywood; research into social media and mental health; media representations of gender and race; the history and impact of propaganda; the value of journalism in a democracy; and how you can use non-fiction storytelling/documentary filmmaking in your major.
I have had the opportunity to explore my interests through hands-on experiences while also developing my communication skills. I am so grateful to be a part of a community that not only encourages me to be myself but also challenges me to be the best version of it.
Other Learning Opportunities
Students get a real-world perspective on the media—both what it’s like to work in the media and the impacts of the media on society—through:
- Field trips to media outlets and cultural sites, such as NBC4 Washington studios, NPR headquarters and the National Museum of African American History and Culture;
- Visits to various news studios and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum during our annual trip to New York City; and
- Guest speakers, particularly working professionals in journalism, advertising, technology and public relations.
During their sophomore year, students fulfill a practicum requirement, which allows them to gain professional experience in their chosen fields. Past Media students have:
- Broadcast sports games with WMUC, the campus radio station;
- Worked on a political campaign; and
- Interned at Microsoft
In all cases, students were able to apply the analytical skills they learned in the program and assess the role that various media played in that organization.
Curriculum Overview
Over the two-year program experience (four semesters), students will complete 2 supporting courses, totaling 6–8 credits, that will count toward their Media Scholars citation. In most cases, these will also fulfill General Education requirements. Note that your Scholars courses—colloquium, practicum and supporting course(s)—will generally be in addition to any courses you take to satisfy major requirements.
The following table represents a typical two-year curriculum, but individual schedules may vary. Details about courses and requirements can be found on the Media Citation Checklist.
| SEMESTER | COURSES | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | CPMS 100: Colloquium I | 1 credit |
| CPMS 225: Analyzing Media Practice Through Theory (SCIS, DSHS) | 3 credits | |
| Semester 2 | CPMS 101: Colloquium II | 1 credit |
| Semester 3 | CPMS 200: Colloquium III | 1 credit |
| Semester 3 or 4 | CPMS 230: Internship; or CPMS 240: Service-Learning; or CPSP 359S: Discovery Research (DSSP) |
1-3 credits 1-3 credits |
| Semester 1, 2, 3, or 4 | Supporting Course (var. Gen Ed) Supporting Course (var. Gen Ed) |
3 credits 3 credits |
Sponsoring College
Office Address
1122 Cumberland Hall
Office Phone
Faculty
News and Notes, Etc.
Media, Self and Society News
What Scholars Did on Their Summer Break
It’s a perennial back-to-school query from teachers: What did you do on your summer vacation? When we asked some of our Scholars students and alumni, they had a lot to tell us… and not surprisingly, they made the most of their summer break. Now that students have settled in on campus and the semester is a few weeks in, we highlight some of our impressive Scholars accomplishments from over the summer. Amit and Erin Koppel Year: Sophomore (Amit), Senior (Erin)
Scholar Kofie Yeboah Wins Mobbie Award for College Sports Blog
His freshman year, Kofie Yeboah was tired of writing about college sports. He and his friends sought an outlet to write about sports without being boxed into a specific category. Their idea evolved into the award-winning blog The Left Bench. Two years later, the blog has a staff of 30, more than 1,500 followers on Twitter and earned a Mobbie Award for Best College Sports Blog in 2014. “The Mobbie Award was a huge confidence booster and the realization that we truly didn't know what we were capable of,” Yeboah said. “Before that, we didn't know how big and popular this thing could get so it was awesome to win that award.”